Billy Penn made this Cordoba Guitars play and feel like any of my high end Flamenco guitars. The frets needed full leveling/dressing, a new saddle needed to be made. The old one had a smile shape to it and it did not give the right string balance tension to the piezo sensors in the UST. Thanks Billy – Sweetwater for getting this to me it needed some serious setup. It’s worth the set up to get this guitar where it’s meant to be. #Savarez
Changed out treble strings on the DAddario EJ25C to the trebles found on the EJ49 (black nylon) same diameter and tension as the EJ45 nylon (clear) and the BNN-3T seem to sound much better acoustically and through the pickup to my ears. Much warmer.
So I’ve had my Yamaha NCX3 for just about 6 months I thought it was time to write a review. I have come to really appreciate the design and the electronics in this guitar as it allows me to use all of the gear that I own as well as others when I’m in situations where I may not have the gear that I’m used to.
That being said, this has to be the easiest guitar to gig with . It’s pretty much plug and play simplicity. While it may take a little bit of time to get used to having a 3 knob system for electronics mic blend, volume knob, and then treble adjust it’s definitely feature rich and not like any other guitar that I played that has active electronics in the nylon construction build with active electronics. Now that being said, I have to share that I personally use EV amplification for 95% of all my gigs using the EV Evovle 30m and Everse 8’s. When I’ve needed to I’ve used the Grace Design Felix2 or the Line 6 HX Stomp. But many times I just use a Rupert Neve RNDI straight to a EV Everse 8 and get the job done. I am a huge fan of Yamaha and the service they give after the sale as well. Not to mention the great service from Sweetwater as well.
My NCX3 came in excellent condition all set up and ready to play. I did do a little saddle adjusting and brought he action down to 2.4mm. I’ve tried a few different brands of strings but have landed on DAddario EJ45 and the guitar seems to respond well to the tension and feel of these strings. The guitar sounds great acoustically with these strings too. If I go to much higher in tension it seems to choke the tone/openness of the guitars vibrating top tone. I’ve played 5 hours on gigs with this guitar and my hands feel fine after my gig. The looks and craftsmanship are stellar. The build is sold and no flimsy trim or aesthetics.
It comes with strap pins already installed. It sounds great to just play acoustically but the real magic is once you plug in. For years I’ve been eqing my live sound with expensive eq’s and racks of gear etc.
This guitar is not like others I’ve used the “AtmosFeel” electronics which consist of a blend of three systems. A mic, UST, and body sensor are able to capture the guitars tone with out really needing outboard gear to sculpt a usable professional gigging tone. So for quick setup and easy travel as well as light this has become my go to live performance gigging guitar. I can even just plug in directly in to my EV’s and sound fantastic with no eq or high pass filter. Just add a bit of soft hall reverb on EV’s and I’m all set.
Even the case is well designed which in my opinion is a type of hybrid hard case, combining the best of soft case design with a harder shell interior that really protects the guitar while transporting it from gig gig, as well as keeping it safe. It’s light light and looks great.
I play a wide style of music from Flamenco, Latin, Jazz, World, music and this guitar covers them all. I did instal a glopador/ tap plate on mine so my right hand technique wound not damage the finish. I used a 3m clear sheet and cut it to fit. It’s a great workhorse guitar. I’ve ben gigging with it since I’ve received the guitar. Everybody that has played it or heard it loves it too. Thanks to all at Sweetwater Chris M x1328, Set Up, Photography and Shipping.
Well another year with the globe spun. I’ve been trying to get lighter and smaller rigs to travel with. Hear they are the Yamaha NCX3 and SLG200NW guitar with a Line6 HX Stomp to a EV Everse
So I’ve had my Yamaha NCX3 for just about 6 months I thought it was time to write a review. I have come to really appreciate the design and the electronics in this guitar as it allows me to use all of the gear that I own as well as others when I’m in situations where I may not have the gear that I’m used to.
That being said, this has to be the easiest guitar to gig with . It’s pretty much plug and play simplicity. While it may take a little bit of time to get used to having a 3 knob system for electronics mic blend, volume knob, and then treble adjust it’s definitely feature rich and not like any other guitar that I played that has active electronics in the nylon construction build with active electronics. Now that being said, I have to share that I personally use EV amplification for 95% of all my gigs using the EV Evovle 30m and Everse 8’s. When I’ve needed to I’ve used the Grace Design Felix2 or the Line 6 HX Stomp. But many times I just use a Rupert Neve RNDI straight to a EV Everse 8 and get the job done. I am a huge fan of Yamaha and the service they give after the sale as well. Not to mention the great service from Sweetwater as well.
My NCX3 came in excellent condition all set up and ready to play. I did do a little saddle adjusting and brought he action down to 2.4mm. I’ve tried a few different brands of strings but have landed on DAddario EJ45 and the guitar seems to respond well to the tension and feel of these strings. The guitar sounds great acoustically with these strings too. If I go to much higher in tension it seems to choke the tone/openness of the guitars vibrating top tone. I’ve played 5 hours on gigs with this guitar and my hands feel fine after my gig. The looks and craftsmanship are stellar. The build is sold and no flimsy trim or aesthetics. It comes with strap pins already installed. It sounds great to just play acoustically but the real magic is once you plug in. For years I’ve been eqing my live sound with expensive eq’s and racks of gear etc. This guitar is not like others I’ve used the “AtmosFeel” electronics which consist of a blend of three systems. A mic, UST, and body sensor are able to capture the guitars tone with out really needing outboard gear to sculpt a usable professional gigging tone. So for quick setup and easy travel as well as light this has become my go to live performance gigging guitar. I can even just plug in directly in to my EV’s and sound fantastic with no eq or high pass filter. Just add a bit of soft hall reverb on EV’s and I’m all set. Even the case is well designed which in my opinion is a type of hybrid hard case, combining the best of soft case design with a harder shell interior that really protects the guitar while transporting it from gig gig, as well as keeping it safe. It’s light light and looks great. I play a wide style of music from Flamenco, Latin, Jazz, World, music and this guitar covers them all. I did instal a glopador/ tap plate on mine so my right hand technique wound not damage the finish. I used a 3m clear sheet and cut it to fit. It’s a great workhorse guitar. I’ve ben gigging with it since I’ve received the guitar. Everybody that has played it or heard it loves it too. Thanks to all at Sweetwater Chris M x1328, Set Up, Photography and Shipping.
This is one of those sleeper prices of gear ahead of it’s time. I’m using it with my Yamaha NCX3 and new EV Everse8 speakers and the sound and tone is magic. I’m using preset #72 Flamenco and have eq the presets. I’m using 6 with different eq and reverb.
As I have gotten older, more experienced and easier to get tired I’ve learned a lot about gear and what works for me. I won’t compromise tone either. So what I have come to learn. If I don’t require body taps, glopes for my performance I’m using the Yamaha SLG200NW guitar.
if I do need body percussion then the Yamaha NCX3.
From there I plug into my simple pedalboard which gives me a high pass filter and eq with limiter and tuner it’s the Source Audio EQ2 with a Source Audio Tap/Temp Switch for the Tuner and Mute functionality, A Boss Reverb RV-6, Boss Loop Station RC-5 all housed in a Boss Pedalboard BCB-30X.
Now for amplification I am using 3 various stems depending on needs of clients. I can cover audiences from 50-500 with the gear I have. For 70% of the gigs I do I use the EV 30m I have been able to use this system with no problem for 250
I also like the QSC CP8 in Mono or Stereo and can cover 100-300 people with this setup
Then for intimate performances or where no AC is easy to access I use 1 Bose S1 Pro. I’ve also used a Bose S1 Pro as my monitor and preamp w reverb and then an additional speaker like the QSC CP 8.
I have other gear that I use when I add a mic like the DPA 4099 G to use with my Culpepper. The Grace Design FeliX 2 when I just use my guitar and preamp out to a Front Of House (FOH) set up
I also like the sound of a saturated preamp like Neve 511 or Chameleon Labs 7603 but this moves out of the easy set ups.
For a DI nothing beats the Rupert Neve RNDI
I’ve tried lots of gear and guitars but for the daily giging nylon string guitarist this is what I’ve concluded in 2022 works best for me and I hope it helps you get you best Nylon Live Sound. I purchase my gear at Sweetwater Sound, American Musical and Russo’s Music Store.
This my main gig rig packed up. Yamaha NCX3, EV 30M, Grace Felix2, Peterson Tuner, Neunaber Wet Reverb, DAddario Pedalboard Accessories, Ultimate Stand.
I just want to say from the start my first nylon string guitar was a 150.00 Yamaha Classical Guitar back in 1978. I have recently started to use Yamaha gear again and this guitar is one that I’m keeping as a main gig guitar from Flamenco, Jazz, Latin and Classical it’s hard to beat. I really like my Yamaha SLG200NW and that’s where the love for Yamaha started for me. It plays like butter and the tone and feel are to me amazing and just a joy to play. That’s what lead me to the NCX3. The feel of the neck is amazing. Now the electronics are seriously the best I’ve encountered on a nylon and I’ve tried them all (just about). The system is a blend of UST, Body Sensor and mic. I can sit next to a sub with 0’ yes 0 feedback. I’ve giged with the guitar in a unforgiving room all tile hard floor and windows. No problem and very little eq used. I’ll write more later but just wanted to say Yamaha is truly making innovative and forward thinking products for the musician.
Nylon Live 